Designer Gary McBournie: Through the Years in Traditional Home

Warmth meets elegance and a comfortable sophistication in the work of Boston-based Gary McBournie, whose refined and polished interiors are always a hit with our readers. Classic furniture, decorative arts, innovative color schemes, and graphic accents are the signatures of his always inviting style.

Serene Sitting Area

The tuxedo sofa in Gary McBournie’s own Boston loft is softened with pillows and set off by a pair of upholstered screens. On the wall above is a starburst found at a flea market in Paris.

A groovy custom rug in the shape of a flower adds punch to the breakfast area. Chairs covered in patchwork plaid slipcovers layer color and pattern into the room, while white linen keeps the window treatments simple.

In a home that was originally a barn and carriage house, a large, lofty entry posed a challenge. “This space was always a question mark that none of us wanted to tackle,” said McBournie. “An antique rug directed its pattern, and we applied bright colors that were tempered with an umber wash so it didn’t have a psychedelic look.” Now, a striking geometric pattern in the entryway welcomes guests to this Massachusetts house.

The chairs surrounding the dining table were covered in a rust-colored ultrasuede but add surprise with contrasting linen on the back. The large iron chandelier over a reclaimed wood table makes a handsome focal point.

McBournie livened up a formerly staid living room by putting a more modern spin on it for Traditional Home’s 10th anniversary issue in 1999.An Asian rug was replaced by modern day stenciled sisal. Formal furniture was exchanged with comfortable armchairs and sofas in colorful prints.

When McBournie took possession of his Nantucket home, the dining room had peeling plaster walls. “It needed a statement,” he said. His remedy: upholstered walls in a mini-check fabric and a painted floor in a bold “old world” pattern.

McBournie painted the watercolors of shells above the sofa in the living room himself. The room’s décor references the home’s location in a former whaling town and the fact that it’s original owner was a boat captain.